En El Salvador el Naipaul profundo.

3.72 is in fact exactly right. If you are interested in better understanding Trinidad or ex-colonialism or the limits of democratic reforms, this book is a highly tongue in cheek observation of how the first election in an inland and relatively out of the way county in Trinidad and Tobago. Working through various soi-disant representatives of the different communities in the county (Hindu, Muslim, Christian/African-origin, and Spanish) in the wake of independence from Britain, a relatively depressed owner of a distribution/trucking company decides/lets himself be talked into running for Legislative Councilman of this seemingly neglected province in the hinterlands of Trinidad and Tobago. The various people who are trying to take advantage of the electoral process, and the uncertain understanding of most of the local voters is very well--even painfully ironically--described. There seems to be a fundamental issue with the alignment of interests, versus individuals trying to maximize the candidate's perception as to their being able to deliver key wedges of electoral support. And by dint of spreading around some cash for variously implausible excuses, the winning candidate then promptly drives off to the capital city and tries to return to his district as little as possible--albeit the one time that is recounted when he does, in considerably better style. All in all, the crowds get increasingly interested in exacting something back--whether a crate of whisky or a casket and burial services--from their candidate/newly elected politician. A witty and, if dated, still interesting recounting of the very imperfect system that (local) democracy is. Well, perhaps not sooo dated and certainly not limited to this province in 1950's Trinidad and Tobago.

The most accessible Naipaul book I have read. Not as deep as Bend in the River, but funny and worth a read. Also it's short.

Finally, finally finished this one. Some of the humour was lost on me, and it took me a while to get used to the patois it was written in. I suspect that if I'd have understood the patois more easily, I would have got into the story a bit quicker and may have "got" the humour better.

The ending was not as satisfying as I'd've hoped, but, it did tie up all of the loose ends.

Overall, it was okay.

Another good one by Naipaul, coming from someone who didn't really like A House for Mr. Biswas.

Politics is indeed a dirty game. But this book is to make you know that it can be funny too. Naipul's intensely readable book, full of drama and raw humor, is perhaps the only book of its length that I've read in a day. (kuddos to me – building my focus, deepening my concentration.)

The story centers on the events that lead up to the election of one Mr. Surujpat Harbans to the Legislative council in one of Trinidad's counties. The politics played here are plagued by inexperienced ambition (in the case of Foam as a campaign manager), superstition where a dog is believed to be an obeah or an evil spirit – the child who brings him is fumigated -and such other trivialities such as greed and personal gain.

The candidates believe that the voters have to be bribed, and go ahead to openly do it, as well as the collaboration with their teams to subbotage those in the race with them. In the end, like in all cases, there are winner and losers, but Harbans win and subsequent celebrations are particularly marred by the very same voters. The celebrations, where whiskey is brought only to the committee, is ruined because the voters feel as the people who have put Harbans to power, they deserve the whiskey more. But the elections are over, so is their value in the thinking of Harbans and his committee. Angered, the people torch Harban's jaguar, - but its easily replaced by the insurance company.

By all means this is a fine novel and it did make me think there is nothing so repelling about intensely political writing after all. Some can be really funny – and uplifting, like this one is.

read it in humor in comic lit.. was certainly a book and certainly had humor but was not the most engaging read of the semester

Hilarious but also profound.

A lively comedy about an election in a backwater of Trinidad. For reasons that are never elucidated, taciturn Mr Harbans has decided to become an elected official, and to this effect he bribes all and sundry in his chosen constituency with money, liquor or empty promises. While the goldsmith Chittaranjan is easily bought with the dishonest promise of a marriage between their children, greedy tailor Baksh manages to extort money first to give Harbans the Muslim vote, then to stand for election himself so as to ruin the chances of the black candidate, Preacher. On the other hand, Baksh's eldest son works diligently as campaign manager, in part to get his own back on his rival Lorkhoor who has become Preacher's campaign manager. This is very much Clochemerle in the tropics, and Naipaul has a ball making fun of the bigotry and superstition of villagers of all creeds and colors, but in the end he soft-pedals and makes everyone rather likable. A fun, short read, but pretty inconsequential.

Finally, finally finished this one. Some of the humour was lost on me, and it took me a while to get used to the patois it was written in. I suspect that if I'd have understood the patois more easily, I would have got into the story a bit quicker and may have "got" the humour better.

The ending was not as satisfying as I'd've hoped, but, it did tie up all of the loose ends.

Overall, it was okay.

Like a Trinidadian episode of Veep.

I like that we never get to hear the political views of those running. We just see the people involved in getting votes.

Also, the election in this novel seems very similar to those that occur in America. Hmm...

'This democracy is a damn funny thing.'

Classic Naipaul. Very funny book too. I love how he captures the vibe of Trinidadians.